From overseeing full-service event planning and catering operations to making sure the hand soap in the restrooms smells nice for guests, Mike Hunter pays attention to the details large and small that ensure Arlington Convention Center clients have the best experience possible.

Hunter was recently named director of the Arlington Convention Center after serving in an interim capacity for the past year. His goals including new branding initiatives, continued Convention Center improvements and employee engagement opportunities that will continue making Arlington a destination of choice for conventions, meetings and events of all sizes.

"We have a really great track record on our evaluations. Clients really like us. We have about a 75 percent repeat in business, which is fantastic. That really only happens when people are satisfied with your service," Hunter said.

Providing flexible meeting space, broad catering options, audio/visual services and dependable communication support at competitive rates are just some of the factors that make the Convention Center attractive to clients year after year. But Hunter said even the small things matter, such as the look and quality of the coffee urn or whether the smell of the bathroom hand soap is too strong.

"We've been known for our quality food and beverage service and for our hands-on customer service. We're going to continue to do that," Hunter said. "But I've challenged my staff by asking, "Are we doing the best job we possibly can in every aspect of our business?' You can find the difference between being good and being the best by looking at each individual process and understanding it."

Hunter began his career with the City in 2012 as the Arlington Convention Center's assistant director. In that role, he managed daily facility function and project planning for events, operations and engineering. Additionally, he oversaw upgrades for Wi-Fi and network infrastructure, event software and audio/visual systems, and developed a 10-year capital purchase and maintenance program.

Continued growth in the Entertainment District, including the future Live! by Loews hotel and Texas Live! entertainment complex, Globe Life Field and the upcoming openings of the Aloft and Drury Plaza hotels, is sure to affect business in and around the Convention Center.

"Our mission is to provide economic impact to the City by bringing visitors and putting people into hotels," Hunter said. "The more hotels we have, the bigger the opportunity to attract more people here. We need to look at how the Convention Center fits into the overall picture. That could mean several different things, from adding minor improvements to the building that make it exciting to come to or it could be an expansion of the existing space."